Small and Simple Things I and II

('Small and Simple Things I' here, didn't have time to write both , so this is going to be like StarWars) Saturday- After just passing through one of the craziest and perspective giving events of my life, Elder Pedro and I start to make the run for the Highway to "snipe" a Remis (taxi). We couldn't find one so we kept making the run up the highway, I gave the rest of the cars there in the Highway a good show as I topple over a metal peg in the ground, and we as we finally entered the pension, I looked like I came out of an intense football game with blood and grassed stained pants. So overwhelmingly happy with all that we did today, we began sharing the experience with the other Elderes there... and then ... more. I got a message, Simoca. (As the Secretary of Records I get a lot of messages on the weekends) I opened the message, and there in Simoca with a smile as bright as his baptismal white clothes, Martin!!

Maria Eugenia y Martin For a while we had been teaching this family in Simoca, the flia Beltran (sometimes called Beltran 2, there's a lot). We had been teaching part of the family there, but it seemed they weren't too interested. So in time we had to let them go and keep finding people more interested. But the last time we past by, it was a dark and rainy night(1 of like 3 I've seen in all my time), during divisiones. We got to the house, couldn't see anything but darkness in the windows, but we clapped our hands. And to our surprise, someone came to greet us. A head poked out of the window ... It was María Eugenia (standing in the middle there, the Grandma of the family). We asked if her grandsons were there and it turned out that no. So we asked if we could share a quick message of Hope, of Jesus Christ with her. And she responded quickly and politely, as many do, that she was of another religion and didn't want to know anything. I said we understand, but as I was prompted, I said that more than anything we share messages of Christ. Of His Hope and His promise that families can be together forever. She accepted, and we briefly explained the mission of Christ and why through Him and His atonement we have Hope, that our families can be united for eternity. That one day we can see our lost loved ones again. And in this moment she opened up, explained how she had lost her husband earlier this year, and that it has been hard on her to see him go, and to go on by herself without him. We stood there, listening through a window, we rain dripping down our backs, taking in her story and trying to understand all she has passed through. We listened, then having to run, left her with our testimonies, from personal experience, that families really can be together forever thanks to Christ. I Know that is True. With that, we took off and said goodbye to Maria Eugenia. We passed a few more times after that, but never saw her there, and the part of the family we were teaching wasn't interested, so we stopped passing by. Then one day, we were speed walking in the street, to an appointment, when someone called us. We looked around, and it was the part of their family we had been teaching. They were like what are you doing, you've got to pass by our house and talk with our grandma. She wants you to come back, she says she has never felt peace like when you talked with her. Will you come back? wooah, alright, sí, when? We set up a day to visit, had a lesson, then set another day, another lesson, lessons with members, she walked 20 minutes to church faster than anyone I've ever seen(that's another good story), then another lesson, anotha one.... and then this happened.

Reflecting on all that has happened, just from one night, trying to give her some Hope through Christ amazes me. I remember walking away from that window, that cold rainy night, just glad we had the opportunity to give a bit of the Hope of Christ to Maria Eugenia. But through that one small moment, through the Spirit, the Comforter, she was touched, and had the desire to know more. The desire to receive more of this help, this hope from her Savior. And with every lesson, we saw her happier and happier. She would always talk about the peace she felt, the Spirit she felt. It amazes me that the Lord can use such small and simple things, small and simple moments in someone's life to make such a change. Now, her other Grandson, Martin (above) was baptized as well. He was always so excited to join us in the lessons with Maria Eugenia. I've never seen anyone in my life more excited and with such a desire to know the path of and follow the Savior. And now they have entered that path, Maria Eugenia and Martin, together, with others in their family shurely to follow. Sometimes the actions we make, the things we do in life may not seem to lead to much, and sometimes that might be true. Or sometimes we'll never see the results. I am so glad that we had the privilege to be instruments in the hands of the Lord, to share just a message, inspired from Him, of Hope. And that by Him, His Spirit, and the way it touched the heart of María Eugenia she has followed the example of her Savior and is setting an example for all of her family to follow. I know that as we follow the Savior, and do our best to take upon us His name and uplift those in need, invite all to come unto Him and to know Him, that He can do great things in their lives. I know that our labor is not in vain, because it is His work. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I know that by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. (Alma37:6). And as we seek and are attentive to His guidance, the Lord can use us to do these things.

¿What is it that the Lord wants me to do today, and how can I prepare myself to do so?

Hacer lo Bueno

Hacer lo Bueno Recently, I have been thinking a lot about the counsel of the Prophet. To Think Celestial. But what does that really mean, and how can I apply that in my life. I was going to write a few ways, but I'm a little low on time. So here's one and some notes: One of the ways is to seek His guidance to better come to understand to see and think with His perspective. And we can do so with the guidance of His Spirit. Sometimes we may feel that we do not have the guidance, the spirit of the Lord in our lives. As the scriptures and living Prophets teach, that might mean one of two things: 1. It's about time to repent, and to follow the counsel of the Prophet to do so daily. 2. We're not looking for it. Sometimes the Spirit is there, the Promptings, the Guidance...but we're just not looking, too distracted, or too blind to see it. I know this, because I have seen my personal failures with this. But it is something, I am actively trying to improve and I would like to invite you to do so as well. Whether to go to Church or not, to look for the hand of the Lord in Your Life. I know as you diligently and observantly seek to see it, you will. And as we seek for His spirit, do what we need to to have its constant companionship, we will His guidance through it. It may not be Loud, it may not Shout, and we probably won't see a sign. But it will be there. As I have looked for it this past couple days, I have seen it in many ways, here are some noted from just one day: An inspired idea or comment of a friend or companion Prompting to speak with, uplift someone you might not naturally feel like talking to (or comfortable). And then the feeling of joy and peace to do so. To say the words that someone needs to hear, now, in this moment,. (And you will be the revelacion for them) The feeling to quickly look for joy in the difficulties, fix your attitude To share a specific scripture from studies (that were also guided) the day of, or another day (A quick note to that: Sometimes as we follow the Lord and His counsel it might feel as if it doesn't pay off, but it always does, in His time. Like a past study that will later influence your life or prepare to the opportunity to help someone else in theirs) The inspiracion that is confirmed by someone receiving the same The Spirit works in many ways, and I'm glad it does because I don't think it'd be the same if it was always super blatante. But it does always, invited us to Hacer lo Bueno - To do What is Good 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do agood continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and benticeth to do cgood, and to love God, and to serve him, is dinspired of God. 16 For behold, the aSpirit of Christ is given to every bman, that he may cknow good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. And here's some notes: Alma 31 To see your circumstances as He would Sometimes the office makes it difficult to have a lot of time doing what we love to do most, which is to find, invite, and help people come unto Christ. But we are doing all we can, Elder Pedro and I, to change that, so that not only us but future missionaries here in the office will be able to focus on that as well. Focus and prioritize as the Prophet has instructed. Days here are a bit challenging in the office, especially when we start blanqueando (when we get to an area that neither of us know) the area. One of these days I recall well. It was a monday, we had planned well for the week, and the day. We worked well in the office so we could get to the area after our district meeting at 6. We got a Remis (Taxi) set to pick us up right at the end of the meeting, and went flying to our area. But when we got there, we did not find the success we were looking for. But as I reflected on our day, I was so happy, and I couldn't understand why. We witnessed many rejections of not us, but the savior as we tried to share of His message. But we invited every single person we saw to come unto Christ that day, and shared with His spirit, our testimonies of Him, and tried to help them to grow theirs as well. From the recent convert who rejected his testimony and did not long to find it again, a friend who lost the faith in that all that God asks of us is for our benefit, and a Taxi driver who, through the struggles of His life, has lost His faith in Christ. We imperfectly shared, tried to understand, love, and invite every one of them, as He would 38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of aafflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in bfaith. Love you, bye.